For those who surrender, the court can choose any method of disposal.

They can be treated leniently, punished severely, or they can be killed like Wang Lengran who secretly prepared.

It only depends on the will of the victors, like lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

Recruitment is different.

Recruitment is a compromise between both parties.

The party being recruited can impose conditions.

Surrender is not an option, there is not much room left.

One fact is that Cai Qin and other mutinous garrison soldiers did not know that Ouyang Rong, Prince Xunyang and others were sympathetic and could preserve their power.

But they know clearly and unmistakably that the culprits who were cruel and harsh and forced them to rebel are still in office and have not been held accountable.

This is also something Ouyang Rong has been worried about before.

Once Cai Qin and other garrison generals clearly understood the nature of the rebellion and their own situation, a chain of suspicion would naturally form.

The situation will quickly slip somewhere and be extremely difficult to recover.

The two claims above in the petition they submitted not long ago are the result of this chain of suspicion.

It was also the declaration of status that Cai Qin and others changed from surrender to recruitment.

They want to recruit people, not surrender.

As for how Hongzhou and Jiangzhou will respond to them after receiving the petition...

Ouyang Rong was silent.

He only knew that even the garrison soldiers returning from the north had honestly followed Khufu to surrender "innocently", and Wang Lengran was secretly preparing troops, hoping to frame them for rebellion and catch them all in one fell swoop on the day they entered the city...

What's more, I have now received that threatening petition.

Wang Lengran should be sneering and sharpening his sword.

Because of this, I was extremely annoyed by some of Ouyang Rong's measures to throw cold water on him in the past few days.

This is Jiangzhou.

As for Hongzhou, what will be the choice?

Although he sent a warning in the name of Jiangzhou Hall a few days ago, he received no reply.

But now, the news of Khufu's sudden return has actually told Ouyang Rong the answer.

Just like a leaf knows the autumn...

"knew."

In the blacksmith shop, looking away from the dancing flames in the furnace, Ouyang Rong clapped his hands, stood up, and passed by the anxious Yan Liulang.

"Let's go."

Ouyang Rong's face was calm and he didn't ask any questions.

Yan Liulang, who wanted to speak, was stunned and had no choice but to follow.

Arriving at the main hall of Jiangzhou Hall, Ouyang Rong saw Hu Fu, Wang Lengran, and even Yuan Huaimin.

All officials of modest rank in Jiangzhou's lobby were summoned urgently.

It's really not a small matter.

"Ouyang Changshi! Why did you come here?"

Everyone said anxiously like ants on a hot pot.

Ouyang Rong walked into the main hall and looked at the oncoming Khufu. He couldn't help but take a second look at the fair face that had lost its beard.

And the sword on his waist.

After thinking for a while, he asked with concern: "What's wrong with Ambassador Hu?"

Khufu didn't know whether he was asking about the beard or something else. His face was anxious and he said in a bitter tone:

"It's over, it's all over. Cai Qin walked halfway and suddenly gathered his troops in the middle of the night with the intention of rebelling. He almost killed the Zajia family that night... The Zajia family escaped."

Ouyang Rong nodded and asked directly: "How is Hongzhou?"

Khufu nodded and said anxiously:

"By the time the Zajia family rushed over the mountains and ridges to Hongzhou, it was already too late. The garrison had already approached Hongzhou unimpeded, broke through the strict pass, and occupied the terrain... Governor Zhu sent his officers and men to attack."

Ouyang Rong nodded: "What's the situation now?"

Khu Fu, Yuan Huaimin and others couldn't help but look at Ouyang Rong a few more times.

As if surprised by his calm expression, the weak-headed official seemed not surprised at all.

Ouyang Rong was silent. Since Khufu could survive and come back alone, there were only two possibilities:

Otherwise, Hongzhou has been lost and he fled in a hurry.

Otherwise there was a conflict between Hongzhou and the garrison. Hongzhou had already made a decision, the situation was irreversible, and he came to ask for reinforcements.

The former was the second worst situation he could think of.

And the latter is the third worst situation.

As for the worst situation... Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.

With the current news that Hongzhou City was still there, he was actually very relieved.

Hu Fu shook his head: "I don't know yet, but when the Zajia left, the people in Hongzhou City were panicked. Governor Zhu had just sent troops out of the city. The Zajia came to inform the Governor Wang to rush to Hongzhou's aid!"

Khufu's suggestion was the same as Ouyang Rong's suggestion not long ago.

Wang Lengran suddenly turned ugly and said coldly:

"Why are you so anxious? There are only 1,500 people. There are more than 3,000 elite soldiers in the two Zhechong mansions in Hongzhou. If we recruit more troops and horses, we can even have over 10,000 troops. They can still defend the city. In a short time, there are

What to be afraid of?

"It's the thieves who should be afraid."

Khufu looked worried and said:

"Mr. Wang doesn't know that those garrison soldiers entered Hongzhou without committing any crime all the way. They marched in large numbers in the name of Zhechong Captain, Coach Envoy, and Zhechong Changshi, holding the banner of severe punishment for both humans and gods. They were very popular with the fellow villagers along the way.

Sympathy for indignation.

"In response to this, the Hongzhou lobby continued to ban, but in Hongzhou City, people began to panic, and some people fled.

"When Governor Zhu learned about this, his face was heavy. He warned the Zajia family that civil war is different from foreign wars. It is easy for rebels to grow, not to mention the difficulty of using people's morale. Hongzhou City may be in danger, so the Zajia family should come to ask for help quickly..."

Everyone fell silent immediately.

The families of the 1,200 Hongzhou garrison soldiers all live in Hongzhou, and this time the garrison soldiers returned with the excuse of returning to their hometowns. The Hongzhou government did not take any action, and the people's support was unimaginable.

Ouyang Rong said directly:

"If Hongzhou is lost, the gates of Jiangzhou will be wide open, and Lip Han Teeth will be destroyed. Xunyang City can only defend by danger, and it will be useless to leave too many soldiers in the third fold to attack the mansion.

"Both Governor Zhu and the Hongzhou Military Government are unable to withstand it, and the Jiangzhou Military Government can still fight back. Does Mr. Wang have such a general who can use his troops like a god and support a building that is about to collapse?

"Run for help as soon as possible. While the situation is still intact, don't treat the officer's words as child's play."

After a pause, Ouyang Rong added:

"Don't worry, Xiaguan and the palace will not escape, and there is no need to set up defenses. Xiaguan will arrange logistics in Xunyang City and wait quietly for Mr. Wang to come back."

He said it so straightforwardly that everyone looked at him sideways and immediately admonished him together.
Chapter completed!